05 Jan 201606:47am IST

05 Jan 201606:47am IST

MARGAO: Salcete residents were irked on Monday after their works with the Deputy Collectors 1 and 2 and other sections of the Collectorate were held up due to absent staff and non-functional computers.

Team Herald

MARGAO: Salcete residents were irked on Monday after their works with the Deputy Collectors 1 and 2 and other sections of the Collectorate were held up due to absent staff and non-functional computers.

Residents stated that they have been visiting Collectorate for many days, but their works haven’t been done. They have also demanded the closure of offices that lack staff and functional computers.

A member of Green Goa Foundation claimed that the computers at the Deputy Collectors’ offices haven’t been working since October 2015. He said, “Several people have been visiting the Collectorate for months for small works. Over 6 staffers are absent, and the offices are working with a handful of people, which is not enough shut down the offices if works can’t be done. At least people will not have to make rounds of the Collectorate.”

When questioned, Dy Collector Ajit Panchwadkar admitted to the staff shortage and IT problems. However, Collector Sachin Shinde, who was discussing the Right to Service Guarantee Act at a meeting in his office, stated that there is no staff shortage, but only a problem with the computers, which will be solved soon.

Panchwadkar stated the current staff strength of his office has remained the same since 1985. He said, “Though the posts of Deputy Collector have been increased, no support staff has been given till date. Salcete sub-division has a population equal to half of South Goa, so the staff strength should be increased as the volume of work has increased compared to 1985.

He added, “Not a single computer or printer is working. They have not been repaired despite several requests to the Collector’s office, due to which a lot of inconvenience is caused to public.”

Meanwhile, Shinde stated, “There is no staff shortage, excluding the vacancies of three-four LDCs and two peons. The computer maintenance contract will soon be processed at the finance department and then at our administration level.”

Thousands of people come down to the South Collectorate from distances of over 30 kilometres. However, they are losing patience and lot of time due to the delay in service delivery. Sources have informed that the district administration had sent a request to for additional staff for these offices six months back. This has now also raised questions on the govt’s seriousness to solve the problems of the people of South Goa.